Mandevilla plant named &#39;FGRRV1&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of  Mandevilla  plant named ‘FGRRV1’, characterized by its upright and somewhat outwardly spreading to strongly vining plant habit; medium green and creamy white variegated leaves that are initially tinged with red; red purple-colored flowers; and good garden performance.

Botanical designation: Mandevilla splendens.

Cultivar denomination: ‘FGRRV1’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofMandevilla plant, botanically known as Mandevilla splendens andhereinafter referred to by the name ‘FGRRV1’.

The new Mandevilla plant is a naturally-occurring branch mutation ofMandevilla splendens ‘Red Riding Hood’, not patented.

The new Mandevilla plant was discovered and selected by the Inventor ona single plant within a population of plants of ‘Red Riding Hood’ grownin a controlled greenhouse environment in Hawthorne, Fla. in May, 2012.The selection of the new Mandevilla was based on its variegated leaves.

Asexual reproduction of the new Mandevilla plant by tip cuttings in acontrolled greenhouse in Hawthorne, Fla. since July, 2012 has shown thatthe unique features of this new Mandevilla plant are stable andreproduced true to type in successive generations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Plants of the new Mandevilla have not been observed under all possiblecombinations of environmental conditions and cultural practices. Thephenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environment such astemperature and light intensity without, however, any variance ingenotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of ‘FGRRV1’. These characteristics incombination distinguish ‘FGRRV1’ as a new and distinct Mandevilla plant:

-   -   1. Upright and somewhat outwardly spreading to strongly vining        plant habit.    -   2. Medium green and creamy white variegated leaves that are        initially tinged with red.    -   3. Red purple-colored flowers.    -   4. Good garden performance.

Plants of the new Mandevilla differ primarily from plants of themutation parent, ‘Red Riding Hood’, in leaf color as plants of ‘RedRiding Hood’ have solid green-colored leaves.

Plants of the new Mandevilla can be compared to plants of the Mandevillasplendens ‘FGVR2’, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 25,814. Inside-by-side comparisons conducted in Hawthorne, Fla., plants of the newMandevilla differed from plants of ‘FGVR2’ in the followingcharacteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Mandevilla were vigorous than plants of        ‘FGVR2’.    -   2. Plants of the new Mandevilla had longer internodes than        plants of ‘FGVR2’.    -   3. Plants of the new Mandevilla had larger leaves than plants of        ‘FGVR2’.    -   4. Plants of the new Mandevilla had variegated leaves whereas        plants of ‘FGVR2’ had solid green-colored leaves.    -   5. Plants of the new Mandevilla had red purple-colored flowers        whereas plants of ‘FGVR2’ had dark red-colored flowers.

Plants of the new Mandevilla can be compared to plants of the Mandevillasplendens ‘FGVP1’, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 26,001. Inside-by-side comparisons conducted in Hawthorne, Fla., plants of the newMandevilla differed from plants of ‘FGVP1’ in the followingcharacteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Mandevilla were vigorous than plants of        ‘FGVP1’.    -   2. Plants of the new Mandevilla had longer internodes than        plants of ‘FGVP1’.    -   3. Plants of the new Mandevilla had larger leaves than plants of        ‘FGVP1’.    -   4. Plants of the new Mandevilla had variegated leaves whereas        plants of ‘FGVP1’ had solid green-colored leaves.    -   5. Plants of the new Mandevilla had red purple-colored flowers        whereas plants of ‘FGVP1’ had pink-colored flowers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying colored photographs illustrate the overall appearanceof the new Mandevilla plant showing the colors as true as it isreasonably possible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type.Colors in the photographs may differ slightly from the color valuescited in the detailed botanical description which accurately describethe actual colors of the new Mandevilla plant. The photograph on thefirst sheet comprises a side perspective view of a typical plant of‘FGRRV1’ grown in a container. The photograph on the second sheet is aclose-up view of typical leaves of ‘FGRRV1 ’. The photograph on thethird sheet is a close-up view of a typical flower of ‘FGRRV1’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

Plants used for the aforementioned photographs and following descriptionwere grown during the spring and summer in 2-gallon containers in anoutdoor nursery in Fort Worth, Tex. and under cultural practices whichclosely approximate commercial production conditions. During theproduction of the plants, day temperatures ranged from 24° C. to 38° C.and night temperatures ranged from 21° C. to 24° C. Plants were 18months old when the photographs and description were taken. In thefollowing description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart, 2007 Edition, except where generalterms of ordinary dictionary significance are used.

-   Botanical classification: Mandevilla splendens ‘FGRRV1’.-   Parentage: Naturally-occurring branch mutation of Mandevilla    splendens ‘Red Riding Hood’, not patented.-   Propagation:    -   -   Type.—By tip cuttings.        -   Time to initiate roots, summer.—About 18 days at            temperatures about 27° C.        -   Time to initiate roots, winter.—About three weeks at            temperatures about 24° C.        -   Time to produce a rooted young plant, summer.—About 45 days            at temperatures about 27° C.        -   Time to produce a rooted young plant, winter.—About 50 days            at temperatures about 21° C.        -   Root description.—Fibrous, medium in thickness; typically            white in color, actual color of the roots is dependent on            substrate composition, water quality, fertilizer type and            formulation, substrate temperature and physiological age of            roots.        -   Rooting habit.—Moderately freely branching; medium density.-   Plant description:    -   -   Plant and growth habit.—Initially upright to somewhat            outwardly spreading and strongly vining plant habit;            vigorous growth habit.        -   Plant height.—About 48 cm.        -   Plant diameter (spread).—About 67.5 cm.        -   Lateral branch description.—Length: About 42 cm. Diameter:            About 4 mm. Internode length: About 2 cm to 5.5 cm.            Strength: Flexible, strong. Texture, young stems: Smooth,            glabrous. Texture, developing stems: Smooth, glabrous.            Texture, developed stems: Woody. Luster, young stems:            Glossy. Luster, developing stems: Slightly glossy. Luster,            developed stems: Dull. Color, young stems: Close to 145A.            Color, developing stems: Close to 175A. Color, woody stems:            Close to 183A.-   Leaf description:    -   -   Arrangement.—Opposite, simple.        -   Length.—About 5.9 cm.        -   Width.—About 4 cm.        -   Shape.—Elliptic to ovate.        -   Apex.—Acute to cuspidate.        -   Base.—Obtuse with cordate tendencies.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Texture, upper and lower surfaces.—Smooth, glabrous;            leathery.        -   Luster, upper surface.—Somewhat glossy.        -   Luster, lower surface.—Slightly glossy.        -   Venation pattern.—Pinnate.        -   Color.—Developing leaves, upper and lower surfaces: Center,            random sectors, close to 147B and 147C; towards the margins,            random sectors, close to 158B to 158D; entire surface            overlain with close to 58B; midvein, close to 58A and 58B;            lateral venation, similar to lamina coloration. Fully            expanded leaves, upper and lower surfaces: Center, random            sectors, close to 147B and 147C and 148C; towards the            margins, random sectors, close to 158B to 158D; thin            margins, close to 58B; midvein, close to 158B to 158D;            lateral venation, similar to lamina coloration.        -   Petioles.—Length: About 2 cm. Diameter: About 2 mm. Texture,            upper and lower surfaces: Smooth, glabrous. Color, upper and            lower surfaces: Close to 158B to 158D.-   Flower description:    -   -   Flower type and habit.—Single salverform flowers; flowers            arranged in terminal and axillary clusters; flowers face            mostly outwardly; freely flowering habit.        -   Natural flowering season.—Plants of the new Mandevilla            flower continuously year-round in Florida.        -   Flower longevity on the plant.—Flowers last about five to            ten days depending on ambient temperature; flowers not            persistent.        -   Fragrance.—None detected.        -   Flowers.—Appearance: Flared trumpet, corolla fused,            five-parted; flowers salverform and roughly star-shaped.            Diameter: About 6 cm to 8.5 cm. Depth (length): About 4 cm            to 5.5 cm. Throat diameter: About 1.5 cm. Tube length: About            3.4 cm. Tube diameter, base: About 4.5 mm.        -   Flower buds.—Length: About 3.6 cm. Diameter: About 4 mm.            Shape: Cylindrical, pointed. Color: Towards the base and            apex, close to N57A; mid-section, close to 155B.        -   Corolla.—Arrangement: Single whorl of five petals, fused            into flared trumpet; petals reflexing. Petal lobe length:            About 2.25 cm to 3.5 cm. Petal lobe width: About 2 cm to            3 cm. Petal lobe shape: Roughly spatulate. Petal apex:            Acute. Petal margin: Entire; undulate. Petal texture, upper            and lower surfaces: Smooth, glabrous; velvety. Throat and            tube texture: Smooth, glabrous. Color: Petal, when opening            and fully opened, upper surface: Close to N57A; towards the            base, small spot, close to NN155B. Petal, when opening and            fully opened, lower surface: Close to N57A. Throat: Close to            9A. Tube: Close to 155B; towards the base, close to N57A.        -   Sepals.—Arrangement and appearance: Five per flower in a            single whorl; fused towards the base. Length: About 7 mm to            10 mm. Width: About 2.5 mm to 3 mm. Shape: Lanceolate. Apex:            Acute; reflexed. Margin: Entire. Texture, inner and outer            surfaces: Smooth, glabrous. Color, inner surface: Close to            145B. Color, outer surface: Close to 144A.        -   Peduncles.—Length: About 1.5 cm. Diameter: About 2.5 mm.            Texture: Smooth, glabrous. Strength: Flexible, but strong.            Aspect: Initially upright, becoming more outwardly arching            with the weight of the developing flower. Color: Close to            144B.        -   Reproductive organs.—Stamens: Quantity and arrangement:            Typically five; filaments fused to corolla; anthers,            connivent. Filament length: About 1 cm to 2 cm. Filament            color: Close to 155D. Anther shape: Elongated oblong. Anther            length: About 5 mm to 7 mm. Anther color: Close to 12A.            Pollen amount: None observed. Pistils: Quantity: Typically            one. Pistil length: About 2.5 cm. Stigma shape: Oblong to            rounded. Stigma color: Close to 11D. Style length: About            2 cm. Style color: Close to 155D. Ovary color: Close to 145A            to 145B.        -   Seeds and fruits.—Seed and fruit production have not been            observed on plants of the new Mandevilla.-   Disease & pest resistance: Plants of the new Mandevilla have not    been observed to resistant to pathogens and pests common to    Mandevilla plants.-   Garden performance: Plants of the new Mandevilla have been observed    to have good garden performance to tolerate rain, wind and    temperatures from about 1° C. to about 40° C.

It is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct Mandevilla plant named ‘FGRRV1’ asillustrated and described.